Entertainer

Jim’s Entertainment Background

Jim had a natural inclination for playing piano and singing. At age fourteen, after two years of intense piano lessons from a family friend, who was a successful band leader, Jim joined “Little Orbie and the Satellites” as a keyboard player and singer. Living close to Manhattan, he began to write and sell rock and roll songs in the City, and eventually was signed by Leo Rodgers, a successful record producer, who had created the Royal Teens of “Short Shorts” fame, their big hit in 1958. When the Royal Teens disbanded, Jim, known in the entertainment world as Dino reformed the group with Leo Rodgers and the group went on to record “Short Shorts Twist,” a favorite in New York City, and a number of other songs written by the group. They eventually signed with Musicor Records and released their 1970 popular album, “Newies But Oldies,” hits from 1969 done in the style of the 50s. With the Royal Teens, Jim continued to do TV and travel with many of the early pioneers of rock and roll music. This included Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chubby Checker, Fats Domino, Little Richard, and many more. Today, Dino still records and performs—but primarily for charity.